Electronic component deactivation device

ABSTRACT

An electronic component deactivation device including an electric match having a pair of electrical leads with a bridge wire coupled therebetween and a pyrotechnic layer of material contacting the bridge wire. A destructive charge is positioned in overlying relationship to the pyrotechnic layer, adjacent the bridge wire with at least a portion of the destructive charge contacting the bridge wire. The destructive charge and electric match are mounted in a housing with the pair of electrical leads extending externally of the housing for connection to an external circuit. The housing is constructed so as to mount the destructive charge and electric match on a circuit board or the like.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices that deactivate electronic components constructed to be remotely operated by an electronic circuit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At the present time there are a great number of electronic devices that are highly portable and, thus, easily pilfered. Some examples of such electronic devices are laptop computers, handheld communicators (e.g. Palm, I-Phones, Blackberry, etc.), and even some smart credit cards. In many instances these electronic devices contain information that is critical to the owner and which the owner would not want available to some third party. It would be, therefore, highly desirable to include some device or apparatus in electronic devices of this type that would prevent use of the electronic circuits by unauthorized personnel.

One of the major methods used at the present time to prevent unauthorized use includes passwords and the like that must be entered before the electronic device will operate. However, it is a well known fact that passwords can be relatively easily discovered or circumvented by skilled people using trial-and-error methods, various apparatus designed to wheel through large numbers of possible passwords in seconds, etc.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electronic component deactivation device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electronic component deactivation device that can be correctly placed to prevent any unauthorized use of critical electronic devices.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved electronic component deactivation device that can be correctly placed to completely eliminate any possibility of an unauthorized user retrieving critical information from a pilfered electronic device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects and advantages of the instant invention, provided is an electronic component deactivation device including an electric match having a pair of electrical leads with a bridge wire coupled therebetween and a destructive charge positioned adjacent the bridge wire with at least a portion of the destructive charge contacting the bridge wire.

The desired objects and advantages of the instant invention are further achieved in a specific embodiment of an electronic component deactivation device including an electric match having a pair of electrical leads with a bridge wire coupled therebetween and a pyrotechnic layer of material contacting the bridge wire. A destructive charge is positioned in overlying relationship to the pyrotechnic layer, adjacent the bridge wire with at least a portion of the destructive charge contacting the bridge wire. The destructive charge and electric match are mounted in a housing, including one of a can and a box, with the pair of electrical leads extending externally of the housing for connection to an external circuit. The housing is constructed so as to mount the destructive charge and electric match on a circuit board or the like.

The desired objects and advantages of the instant invention are further achieved in a specific method of incorporating an electronic component deactivation device in an electronic device for eliminating unauthorized use. The method includes the step of providing an electronic component deactivation device including an electric match having a pair of electrical leads with a bridge wire coupled therebetween and a destructive charge positioned adjacent the bridge wire with at least a portion of the destructive charge contacting the bridge wire. The bridge wire activates the destructive charge when an activation signal is applied to the pair of electrical leads. The method further includes the step of providing an electronic device to be protected from unauthorized use, the electronic device including an activation circuit with a specific actuation program and an electronic component critical to the operation of the electronic device. The electronic component deactivation device is positioned in close proximity to the electronic component so as to substantially destroy the electronic component when an activation signal is applied to the pair of electrical leads. The pair of electrical leads of the electric match is coupled to the activation circuit of the electronic device and an activation signal is provided to the pair of electrical leads when an attempt is made to actuate the electronic device without using the specific actuation program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an electric match;

FIG. 2 is a sectional end view of the electric match of FIG. 1 including a destructive charge;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an electronic component deactivation device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of an electronic component deactivation device in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a circuit board illustrating the mounting of the one or more electronic component deactivation devices in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Electric matches are known in the art of explosives and pyrotechnic devices. An electric match may, for example, be employed by insertion into a fuse, device disruptor, or charge and it becomes the ignition source. The electric match ignites the detonating charge or the fuse, which then ignites the main charge or pyrotechnic device. Ignition of the electric match is accomplished by providing an electrical charge across two insulated wires coupled at an end by a resistive bridge wire. The bridge wire is heated by the electrical current which, in turn, ignites a pyrotechnic coating. The ignition of the pyrotechnic coating then ignites a fuse, detonating charge, or the like. An electric match of this type is disclosed in a copending U.S. patent application entitled “Flat Electric Match”, bearing Ser. No. 12/108,831, filed Apr. 24, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a top plan view of an electric match generally designated 10. Match 10 preferably includes a substrate 12 having a surface 14. It will be understood that substantially any substrate can be employed for the present invention and is intended to provide support to the various remaining elements of match 10. The substrate is insulative or has insulating portions to which the leads and bridge wire are attached. In some applications it may be expedient to eliminate the substrate and simply provide more ridged leads. A lead 15 and a lead 16 are carried by substrate 12 on surface 14. Leads 15 and 16 include ends 18 and 19 respectively which are generally designed to be plugged into a printed circuit board or the like. Opposing ends 20 and 22 of leads 15 and 16 are spaced apart on surface 14 of substrate 12 and electrically coupled by a bridge wire 25 having an end 27 coupled to end 20 and an end 28 coupled to end 22. Leads 15 and 16 and bridge wire 25 form an electrical circuit which, when completed by an electrical power source, allows current to flow through bridge wire 25.

Leads 15 and 16 are conductive wires that extend along surface 14, providing support along their entire length. Bridge wire 25 is also supported by surface 14 of substrate 12, thus removing any potential for flexing or movement of leads 15 and 16 relative to bridge wire 25. It is noted here that while leads 15 and 16 can be insulated wires carried by substrate 12 on surface 14, the leads can also be formed on the substrate by depositing, sputtering, painting, embedding, printing, etc., conductive materials on surface 14. This is also the case for bridge wire 25. It should also be noted that leads 15 and 16 need not be positioned in parallel. It is sufficient that ends 20 and 22 are spaced apart but in sufficient proximity to be electrically coupled by bridge wire 25.

A pyrotechnic material 35 can then be applied to bridge wire 25 by dropping, brushing or otherwise covering, or at least contacting, a portion of bridge wire 25 with a slurry of pyrotechnic material 35. There are a multitude of different pyrotechnic materials known in the art, any of which can be used in the present invention. Due to the large number and well known nature and fabrication of different pyrotechnic materials and compositions, a detailed description thereof has been omitted from the present disclosure. The amount of material 35 added is not limited by the size or strength of bridge wire 25, as the weight and volume of the pyrotechnic charge is fully supported by surface 14 of substrate 12.

Once the layer of pyrotechnic material has dried or hardened, one or more additional layers 40, illustrated in FIG. 2, can be applied if desired to form a destructive or an explosive charge of multiple layers. It is preferred to include a destructive charge rather than an explosive charge so that one or more specific components of a selected device are destroyed with a minimum of danger and display. For purposes of this disclosure, however, whether a destructive or explosive charge is used, it will be referred to generically as a “destructive charge”. To this end a destructive charge including any of the well known heat producing chemicals (e.g. magnesium, fulminate of mercury, etc.) can be included. In some specific examples and depending upon the material of the destructive charge utilized, it may be possible to simply use bridge wire 25 to directly ignite destructive charge 40. In such circumstances the leads and bridge wire are still considered to be an electric match.

In some instances an additional protective/direction layer can be formed around the outside of the destructive charge and the substrate can be very thin or nonexistent to direct the heat or explosion toward the selected component. Thus, electric match 10 is used in a manner similar to conventional electric matches to ignite a detonating charge that in turn ignites a destructive charge. Additional information on the electric match can be found in the above identified copending United States patent application.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a sectional view is illustrated of an embodiment of an electronic component deactivation device 50 in accordance with the present invention. Electronic component deactivation device 50 includes an electric match 10, similar to the match described above, with a destructive charge 52 positioned thereon. In this embodiment electric match 10 and destructive charge 52 are mounted within a can 54, which is preferably thick enough to direct most of the destructive force (heat, etc.) downwardly toward a selected component to be destroyed. In a preferred embodiment the can is formed of metal and may be similar to metal cans used to house electronic components, such as diodes and the like. Also the leads of electric match 10, designated 56 in this example, extend outwardly from the bottom of can 54 so as to be available for plugging into, or otherwise connecting to, a circuit board or the like.

While electronic component deactivation device 50 is illustrated as including an electric match 10 similar to that described in conjunction with FIG. 1, it will be understood that many other formations could be devised. For example, destructive charge 52 could substantially fill can 54 and the electric match could simply be embedded in destructive charge 52 with out including a substrate or the like. Also, can 54 can be relatively thick and/or protective material can be included around the outer surface of destructive charge 52 within can 54 to aid in directing the destructive force downwardly toward the selected component.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a top perspective view is illustrated of another embodiment of an electronic component deactivation device 60 in accordance with the present invention. Electronic component deactivation device 60 includes an electric match 10, similar to the match described above, with a destructive charge 62 positioned thereon. In this embodiment electric match 10 and destructive charge 62 are mounted within a typical component container 64, such as a plastic or metal box used in the semiconductor industry to house electronic components. Component container 64 is preferably thick enough to direct most of the destructive force (heat, etc.) downwardly toward a selected component to be destroyed. Also the leads of electric match 10, designated 66 in this example, extend outwardly from the bottom of component container 64 so as to be available for plugging into, or otherwise connecting to, a circuit board or the like. For purposes of this disclosure can 54, component container 64, and any other confining structures are referred to generically as a “housing”.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example of one use or utility of the disclosed electronic component deactivation device is illustrated. In this specific exemplary structure, a circuit board 100 is illustrated, which may be a mother board or the like in any desired electronic device. Circuit board 100 is illustrated with various connectors or contact pads 102 along an edge for connection to cooperating circuits or structures and the application of power in any well known manner. Circuit board 100 also has a number of components mounted thereon which may include, for example, a central processing unit 104 and a memory 106. In this specific example, an electronic component deactivation device 50 is mounted in close proximity to memory 106 so that activation of device disruptor 50 will effectively destroy memory 106 and prevent retrieval of information from memory 106. In addition to or instead of electronic component deactivation device 50, an electronic component deactivation device 60 is mounted on top of central processing unit 104 so that activation of electronic component deactivation device 60 effectively destroys central processing unit 104 and any programs or memory stored therein.

It will of course be understood that the above examples are merely for illustrative purposes and many other configurations and utilizations can be devised. Also, in many instances the electronic component deactivation devices are included in circuitry designed to activate the electronic component deactivation device upon the occurrence of a specific act. For example, if an unauthorized person attempts to turn on or utilize the electronic device being protected and the person enters a specific number of improper passwords the circuit associated with the electronic component deactivation device is powered and sufficient power is applied to the electronic component deactivation device to activate it.

Thus, an electronic component deactivation device has been disclosed that can easily and secretly be included in electronic devices to effectively prevent the unauthorized use of those devices. The electronic component deactivation device can be secretly included so that no hint of its presence is detectable and it is safe as long as the activating feature does not occur. Once activated, the electronic component deactivation device will effectively prevent the use of the electronic device by unauthorized people without causing undue harm or destruction of property, other than the targeted electronic device.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims. 

1. An electronic component deactivation device comprising: an electric match including a pair of electrical leads and a bridge wire coupled therebetween; and a destructive charge positioned adjacent the bridge wire with at least a portion of the destructive charge contacting the bridge wire.
 2. An electronic component deactivation device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electric match further includes pyrotechnic material positioned between the bridge wire and the destructive charge.
 3. An electronic component deactivation device as claimed in claim 1 further including a can housing the electric match and the destructive charge with the electric lead wires extending externally of the can.
 4. An electronic component deactivation device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the can is formed of metal and includes protective material substantially surrounding the destructive charge within the can and directing the destructive charge in a desired direction.
 5. An electronic component deactivation device as claimed in claim 1 further including a box housing the electric match and the destructive charge with the electric lead wires extending externally of the box.
 6. An electronic component deactivation device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the box is formed of metal or plastic and includes protective material substantially surrounding the destructive charge within the box and directing the destructive charge in a desired direction.
 7. An electronic component deactivation device comprising: an electric match including a pair of electrical leads with a bridge wire coupled therebetween and a pyrotechnic layer of material contacting the bridge wire; a destructive charge positioned in overlying relationship to the pyrotechnic layer, adjacent the bridge wire with at least a portion of the destructive charge contacting the bridge wire; and a housing including one of a can and a box, the destructive charge and electric match mounted in the housing with the pair of electrical leads extending externally of the housing for connection to an external circuit, and the housing being constructed so as to mount the destructive charge and electric match on a circuit board.
 8. An electronic component deactivation device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the housing includes the can and the can is formed of metal and includes protective material substantially surrounding the destructive charge within the can and directing the destructive charge in a desired direction.
 9. An electronic component deactivation device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the housing includes the box and the box is formed of metal or plastic and includes protective material substantially surrounding the destructive charge within the box and directing the destructive charge in a desired direction.
 10. A method of incorporating an electronic component deactivation device in an electronic device for eliminating unauthorized use, the method comprising the following steps: providing an electronic component deactivation device including an electric match having a pair of electrical leads with a bridge wire coupled therebetween and a destructive charge positioned adjacent the bridge wire with at least a portion of the destructive charge contacting the bridge wire, the bridge wire activating the destructive charge when an activation signal is applied to the pair of electrical leads; providing an electronic device to be protected from unauthorized use, the electronic device including an activation circuit with a specific actuation program and an electronic component critical to the operation of the electronic device; positioning the electronic component deactivation device in close proximity to the electronic component so as to substantially destroy the electronic component when an activation signal is applied to the pair of electrical leads; coupling the pair of electrical leads of the electric match to the activation circuit of the electronic device; and providing an activation signal to the pair of electrical leads when an attempt is made to actuate the electronic device without using the specific actuation program.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a step of including the electronic component deactivation device in one of a can or box. 